Anglo-Indian Elephant Table / Inlaid Octagonal or Round Folding Table
Table (Accent Table / Occasional Table) · Anglo-Indian / Victorian Colonial (Late 19th to Early 20th Century) · Unmarked artisan workshop, produced in regions such as Hoshiarpur or-Nagina in India, popular during the British colonial export era.
Type
Table (Accent Table / Occasional Table)
Style Period
Anglo-Indian / Victorian Colonial (Late 19th to Early 20th Century)
Material
Hardwood (typically Asian rosewood, shisham, or teak) with bone or mother-of-pearl inlay (sometimes referred to as Sadeli mosaic or ivory/bone inlay).
Age Estimate
Circa late 19th century to early 20th century (Victorian to Edwardian era, roughly 1880-1930).
Dimensions
Estimated height: 18-24 inches; Width/Diameter: 20-26 inches. Typical size range for a low occasional accent or coffee table of this regional style.
Origin
India (British India colonial export period, manufactured for the European and American markets).
Designer/Maker
Unmarked artisan workshop, produced in regions such as Hoshiarpur or-Nagina in India, popular during the British colonial export era.
Value Estimate
General market value ranges from $300 to $900 USD depending on condition, intricacy of the inlay, presence of the folding base, and verifiable provenance.
Description
This is a charming and highly decorative Anglo-Indian occasional table featuring three carved elephant-head legs complete with protruding ears and trunks that taper gracefully to the floor. The circular tabletop is richly embellished with intricate bone or mother-of-pearl inlay depicting traditional motifs, including elephants, tigers, and palm trees surrounded by scrolling floral vines and geometric borders. The combination of figurative carving and meticulous inlay work makes it a quintessential conversation piece from the height of the British colonial export trade.
Key Features
Carved elephant-head legs acting as structural supports; extensive intricate bone/mother-of-pearl inlay featuring animals and botanical motifs; circular top with ornate pictorial panels.
Color & Finish
Warm medium-to-dark brown wood tones with a hand-rubbed wax or light varnish finish, highlighting the natural grain alongside the stark white contrast of the bone or mother-of-pearl inlay.
Construction Method
Handcrafted by traditional artisans, featuring hand-carved elements (such as elephant head legs) and intricate hand-cut inlay work embedded into recessed channels within the wood grain.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Traditional mortise and tenon or interlocking folding frame joinery, executed entirely by hand with exceptional attention to detail in the micro-inlay and carving.
Wood Grain & Species
Shisham (Indian Rosewood) or Teak with a dense, fine grain, heavily adorned with pictorial and botanical inlay depicting wildlife (elephants, tigers) and flora (palms, vines).
Surface Treatment
Extensive hand-carving and meticulous inlay work (pietra dura style adapted in bone/shell on wood), sealed with a traditional polish or wax coat.
Upholstery Details
N/A - This is an all-wood and bone inlaid occasional table with no upholstered components.
Hardware & Fittings
Traditional regional joinery and wooden or hidden metal pegs/hinges depending on whether the base is designed to fold (many Anglo-Indian elephant tables feature a collapsible, interlocking base).
Origin & Provenance
India (British India colonial export period, manufactured for the European and American markets).
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition. Minor surface wear, light scuffing, and potential minor loss to the delicate bone inlay appropriate for an antique of this age. Structural integrity appears sound.
Interesting Facts
These tables became extremely popular in British and American households during the late Victorian era following the Great Exhibition of 1851 and Queen Victoria's proclamation as Empress of India in 1876, which sparked a massive Western fascination with Orientalist and Anglo-Indian decor.
Cultural Significance
Represents the cross-cultural aesthetic exchange of the British colonial period, blending traditional Indian artisan craftsmanship and indigenous motifs with European domestic furniture forms.
Similar Pieces
Moroccan inlaid tables or Syrian mother-of-pearl mosaic tables; distinguished primarily by the figurative elephant-head supports and specific Indian wildlife and flora iconography.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Avoid liquid cleaners, harsh chemicals, and excess moisture to prevent the wood from warping and the delicate bone inlay from loosening. Periodically apply a neutral furniture wax.
Value Estimate
General market value ranges from $300 to $900 USD depending on condition, intricacy of the inlay, presence of the folding base, and verifiable provenance.
Sustainability Notes
Represents historic antique craftsmanship utilizing durable regional hardwoods and repurposed animal bone or shell, inherently sustainable through its multi-generational longevity and heirloom reuse.